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Raven celeste competitors/alternatives

Lately I've been fixated on The Raven nighthawk/Celeste combo for $7k-ish price.
There may be better systems to build from used sales here, but I'm fearful I would spend the money and not get great sound or  synergy in the system [who wants to help:-) ] I've never had tubes before, so I'm  toying with the idea of getting a raven nighthawk.  To do so, I would have to get rid of my current speakers. The raven celeste would be an obvious consideration on my budget (my current speaks are revel f208), but I'm not crazy about the looks of the celeste, and I have a small living room so other options exist. I'd appreciate input on the celeste or alternatives to consider that will work with everything from industrial, rock, and 80's to female vocalists and jazz funk?  Just curious and dreaming at the moment. No urgent deadline to pull the trigger but soon enough that I don't blow my tax return elsewhere may be a good idea. Lol. Thanks.
128x128labguy
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,759 posts
 
I don't have a sub with the Blackhawk and de Capos and have never felt the need for one but my listening space is fairly small. There is some information about their frequency response in the Stereophile review but my affection for them is based on listening to them compared to other speakers I've owned in the same general price range from Merlin, Devore, Nola, ProAc and others.
I don't find it necessary to let the Blackhawk warm up before I begin listening but perhaps I'm not as analytical a listener as some.
https://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1203reference3a/index.html
thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
4,433 posts
 
It is not even close, but people get triggered when told it is a $40k speaker for $4k.
Because it isn’t.
It is a $4k speaker for $4k.

artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,954 posts
 
You could try the BlackHawk with your Revel's and see how it works. Then there is a Don Sachs Integrated now with 35 wpc using 6L6 tubes. Don's preamp is always sold within 2 days of arriving on the used mkt. And his amp is great. I have one. The waiting list will be 6-8 weeks though, which is the down side. But I suspect his integrated gets great reviews also. Then there's also CJ & other integrateds. I'd love to hear the Blackhawk myself but understand your hesitancy
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,759 posts
 
I agree with artemus_5 about trying a Raven Blackhawk or Nighthawk with your Revel's, especially since Raven offers an in-home trial. If you switched out both at once you'd always wonder whether it was the amp or the speakers making the difference. Call or write Raven with your questions, I've found Dave Thomson to be extremely approachable and helpful.
chicagoblue1977's avatar
chicagoblue1977
224 posts
 
A friend of mine has the CeLest Blackhawk combo and it sounds simply wonderful.

I would consider it but if I put a system in one more room in this house I may be all alone, have 5 now.

Imaging is great you can sit for hours listening to it. Much like my Moon 340i and Sf Olympica III’s
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